Pacific Championships draw announced

The National Rugby League (NRL) has announced the draw for the 2025 Pacific Championships to be played across three countries and four consecutive weekends in October and November.

After a stunning finale to the 2024 Pacific Championships, where the Kangaroos and Jillaroos claimed their respective Pacific Cup titles in front of a packed CommBank Stadium, the 2025 edition is set to reignite some of the game’s fiercest international rivalries.

Samoa returns in the men’s Cup draw after missing last year’s Pacific Championships to tour the UK and are set to face off with 2024 runner-up Tonga as part of an explosive opening double-header on Australian soil, which will also feature the Jillaroos and Samoa in action at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Sunday, October 26.

Samoa and Tonga will be joined by New Zealand to challenge for the men’s Pacific Cup, with the Kiwis set to host Samoa at Go Media Stadium on October 19 and Tonga at Eden Park on November 2.

Sydney’s golden west will come alive for the Final in rugby league heartland, with western Sydney’s passionate Pasifika community set to bring a vibrant atmosphere to the men’s and women’s Pacific Cup deciders at CommBank Stadium on Sunday, November 9.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the passion of fans across the tournament last year highlighted the power of the event to ignite the Pacific.

“The images of a sea of red jerseys and Tongan flags at last year’s Final in Sydney, the big crowds in New Zealand and the hero’s reception for the teams playing in Fiji and PNG were massive moments for rugby league last year.

“Nothing stirs the emotions and inspires players or fans quite like the pride for their nation and there is no greater example of the unique passion and energy that international rugby league brings than what we witness during the Pacific Championships.”

The Jillaroos will begin their women’s Pacific Cup title defence against Samoa in the Suncorp Stadium double-header on October 26 before heading across the Tasman to face the Kiwi Ferns at Eden Park on November 1.

The men’s and women’s Pacific Bowl tournaments will be played over three consecutive weekends at Santos Stadium, Port Moresby.

The men’s Bowl includes PNG, Fiji and Cook Islands, with PNG, Cook Islands and Tonga to contest the women’s Bowl.

Tickets for the 2025 Pacific Championships go on sale today (Wednesday 6 August) for all fixtures in Australia from 10am AEST for NRL Club members, 3pm for NRL account holders, and 4pm to the public.

Tickets start from just $15 for adults and $30 per family for NRL Club members, and $25 for adults and $50 per family for the general public via NRL.com/tickets.

The 2025 Pacific Championships Final is proudly supported by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

NSW Minister for Sport, Minister for Jobs and Tourism and Minister for Multiculturism Steve Kamper said: “I’m thrilled Sydney will host the Final of the Pacific Championships. Western Sydney has the nation’s largest Pasifika community, whose passion and enthusiasm will create a unique and incredible atmosphere that’s not to be missed.

“We look forward to welcoming rugby league fans from around the nation and across the ditch for an unforgettable sporting experience in the rugby league capital of the world.”

The Pacific Bowl is proudly supported by the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports. PacificAus Sports creates opportunities for Australian and Pacific athletes to learn, train, play, and grow together.

2025 Pacific Championships dates:  

• Week 1 – 18-19 October    

• Week 2 – 25-26 October    

• Week 3 – 1-2 November    
• Week 4 – 9 November (Final) 

Men’s tournament:  

• Pacific Cup – Tonga, New Zealand, Samoa  
• Pacific Bowl – PNG, Fiji, Cook Islands   

Women’s tournament:  

• Pacific Cup - Australia, New Zealand, Samoa 
• Pacific Bowl – PNG, Tonga, Cook Islands 

2025 Pacific Championships Draw 

Pacific Cup - Men 

Sun 19 Oct        New Zealand v Samoa                 Go Media Stadium, Mt Smart 

Sun 26 Oct        Samoa v Tonga                             Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 

Sun 2 Nov         New Zealand v Tonga                   Eden Park, Auckland 

Sun 9 Nov         Final                                               CommBank Stadium, Sydney 

Pacific Cup - Women 

Sun 19 Oct        New Zealand v Samoa                 Go Media Stadium, Mt Smart  

Sun 26 Oct        Australia v Samoa                        Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 

Sun 2 Nov         New Zealand v Australia              Eden Park, Auckland 

Sun 9 Nov          Final                                            CommBank Stadium, Sydney 

Pacific Bowl – Men 

Sat 18 Oct         Fiji v Cook Islands                        Santos Stadium, Port Moresby 

Sat 25 Oct         PNG v Cook Islands                     Santos Stadium, Port Moresby 

Sat 1 Nov          PNG v Fiji                                    Santos Stadium, Port Moresby 

Sun 9 Nov          *Cook Islands v South Africa      CommBank Stadium, Sydney 

  

Pacific Bowl – Women 

Sat 18 Oct         PNG v Cook Islands                    Santos Stadium, Port Moresby 

Sat 25 Oct         Tonga v Cook Islands                 Santos Stadium, Port Moresby 

Sat 1 Nov           PNG v Tonga                              Santos Stadium, Port Moresby 

* RLWC 2026 Qualifier. Fixture not part of Pacific Championships